Top Three Sources of Crime:
Drugs, Alcohol & Cyber-Crime
Explore this section to learn more about Cambria County´s top three causes of crime and what the DA is doing to fight them.
Drug Crime -
When people think of drug crime, the first thing that normally comes to mind is drug trafficking itself - but that is just part of the problem. Drug crimes also include those committed by addicts who will stop at nothing to get money to buy drugs.
Unfortunately, Johnstown has become a very lucrative and relatively safe market for drug traffickers. As opposed to larger markets like Philadelphia, Cleveland or Pittsburgh, competition here is less intense, prices are higher and gang activity and violence are rare. Given those powerful motivators it is no surprise that every time we send an out-of-town dealer to jail, another dealer takes his place.
The blame for this problem and for all the property crime it generates lies squarely with Cambria County´s drug users. They generate the constant demand and are willing to pay high prices. This, inturn, leads them to attack and rob our neighbors, to break into their homes and steal their possessions, to hold-up our businesses and to put our community in danger.
That is why the DA has made drug enforement and prosecution a top priority, with enforcement carried out by the Cambria County Drug Task Force.
Alcohol Crime -
Years ago, drunk driving was treated very lightly except in cases that ended in serious injuries or fatalities. Then, as more drivers took to the road, the number of young people driving increased and more and more families fell victim to the devastating effects of drunk driving, things began to change.
National organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) began to exert political pressure for governments to impose stricter enforcement measures and more severe penalties for DUI crimes. Attitudes among the general public began to change, too. What was once perceived as a minor violation is now recognized for the serious and potentially lethal crime that it is.
It is our policy to prosecute drunk drivers to the full extent of the law. DUI cases comprise about 20% of our current case load. Here´s some food for thought for any county resident who uses the roads:
DUI = 20% of total adult case load 3,053 (2007)
3,053 x 20% = 610 DUI
That means that we prosecuted 610 violators... and that's just the people who got caught!
Since 2004, almost 30 people lost their lives at the hands of a drunk driver.
DRUNKS ARE OUT THERE. PLEASE DRIVE DEFENSIVELY.
Cyber Crime -
Every technological breakthrough brings both blessings and curses. The internet is no different. On the net, criminals can use stolen information to steal from the innocent. They use the web to prey on children because it offers anonymity. For certain types of criminals, the internet has become their ideal tool.
Every year in Cambria County, the District Attorney´s Office prosecutes the following types of cyber-crimes:
Sexual Predators: Details vary by case, but a typical scenario involves an adult male using online social networking sites to disguise his true identity and seduce underage girls. When suspicious behavior is suspected or confirmed, our detectives go to work. This can involve a detective posing as the victim. When a "real life" meeting is arranged - BUSTED.
Child Pornography: It is a federal crime to create, transmit, possess or distribute sexual images of children. Period. The moment such images are created they carry criminal liability wherever they go. A child was abused during its creation. The end user is no less guilty than the person who created it.
Child Predators go to jail when they get sloppy. Images are discovered by service technicians, by co-workers, friends, family members or anyone who may use the perpetrator´s computer. It is our policy to prosecute child abusers of all types to the fullest extent of the law.
Identity Theft: Approximately 10 million Americans suffer every year when thieves steal their vital information, gaining access to credit card accounts and using personal data to create false identities. Victims can lose thousands of dollars and have their good names and credit scores ruined. The Cambria County District Attorney´s Office protects county residents using a combination of education, investigation and enforcement. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft is to learn prevention methods using the links in the "Resources" section. Our enforcement measures are greatly enhanced by our associations with other local, state and federal agencies since cyber-criminals can operate from any location.
Harassment: Bullies, stalkers, the angry and the vengeful use the anonymity of the internet to harass and threaten their victims. Studies now show that among school-age children, 85% of bullying now occurs online. If you or a family member are being harassed online, the best way to protect them is to report the crime to the District Attorney´s Office. Once reported, we can begin an investigation, gather information and prosecute your tormentor. Any person who thinks they can harass others and get away with it by using the net should think again. "You can hide, but you can´t run."
